Catalog (51)

Old Chago, Japanese tea leaf measuring scoop made out of bamboo. Taisho period. 6 1/4" x 2"

This Chinese vase comes from Canton from the end of the 19th century or perhaps the first few years of the 20th century. The shape is termed onion neck for obvious reasons and derives from Delft forms made in Holland in the 17th century. The bright overglaze enamel colors are typical of export wares of the era and the subject matter of boys with balloons containing characters meaning "prosperity" and "good luck".

A fine embroidered purse, probably made to hold tissues at a tea ceremony. The exterior is embroidered with Sagara embroidery (Peking knot), and has a sarasa design of stylized butterflies, birds and flowers. The sarasa (Indian Chintz), first came to Japan through the Nanban trading in the late 16th century and was tremendously favored by the tea masters and some daimyo (regional lords) during the Edo period. The colorful and exotic fabric originated in India (spread to Java, other parts o...

This panel was taken from Japanese "futon" bed cover. It is decorated with a chagama and other utencils used in the tea ceremony. They are drawn in the paste resist dying technique called tsutsugaki. The green area appears to be dyed with two colors, "ai" indigo blue first then yellow dye. The fabric (cotton) is loosely woven with one repair as shown in the photos. Meiji Period(1868-1912). Dimensions: 61" x 48"

Wonderful old Japanese Imari boat, incense burner (koro) or a nice dish for ... sashimi with soy sauce and wasabi in one side, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).

8 1/4" long x 4 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" tall

A Japanese earthenware hot water pourer (yuzamashi), decorated with shaped panels depicting landscapes and flowers and roundels, all on a gilt red ground, the base marked Kutani, Shoza. Dimensions: 3/ 3/16" (8cm) x 4 1/8" (10.5cm) across(from tip to tip) x 1 7/8" (4.5 cm) high. Meiji period.

A set of 10 Hirado porcelain lidded bowls decorated in underglaze blue with mountain landscape on one half and prunus on the other. The interior has a central floral roundel and wave design on the rim. Each marked Hirado, Kasho. The original wood box, tomobako, inscribed "Hizen Hirado yaki", Kodai (ancient), Prunus, Sansui ga (oriental style painting of mountains and water). One bowl is damaged - 9 sets plus a lid. Late Meiji/Taisho period.

This mark (signature) is illustrated in "Hir...

A set of 10 lidded Hirado Japanese porcelain bowls decorated in underglaze blue with mountain landscape on one half and prunus on the other. The interior has a central floral roundel and wave design on the rim. Each marked Hirado, Kasho. The tomobako (original box), inscribed "Hizen Hirado yaki", Kodai (ancient), Prunus, Sansui ga (oriental style painting of mountains and water). Late Meiji/Taisho period, early 1900s.

This mark (signature) is illustrated in "Hirado: Prince of Porcelains" ...

A heavy Japanese Banko plate with bamboo, made by a Japanese Banko ceramist, Yamada Touka. There are holes on the back which makes it good for decoration.

Beautiful Japanese antique Imari charger, circa Meiji period (1868-1912).
Dimensions: 14 1/4 inches in diameter x 2 1/2 inches deep

Old Japanese Kutani dishes placed in the carved wood tray. Each dish is hand painted and signed at the bottom, "Gyokuzan". The diameter of the tray is 14 inches. Some gilt wear at the rim of some dishes.

The shape of this oval Japanese Arita dish derives from European forms. The combination of colors (Celadon and blue & white) is known to be produced from 1780 – 1820, a late Edo example. The dimensions: 7 1/2" x 6"

This unique antique Japanese vase with four handles has a creamy grayish colored body with crackles and numerous pinholes. A couple of crackles are missing (shown in the photo) at the foot. It is 11 1/2 inches tall, circa early 1900s.

Wonderful chagama, cast-iron hot water pot for Japanese tea ceremony decorated with a heron on each side, late Show period, 1970-1980. Signed Seiko (Sato).

Kama: 8 3/4" high x 8 1/2" diameter (22cm x 21cm)
Box: 9 11/16" x 9 7/8" x 9 1/4" (25.3cm x 25cm x 23.5cm)
opening: 4 1/8" (10.5cm) diameter

Beautiful hand painted Fukagawa Vase from Arita, Japan. It has a landscape of rural scenary of Japan on a matte finish. Fukagawa company is well known for translucent white porcelain. The under glazed blue signature at the bottom reads "made by Fukagawa" and there is an artist's signature on the lower half of the vase. Mint condition, circa mid 1900, 9 1/4" in diameter and 6 3/4" tall.

This is a Rikyu doll, one of the Hakata clay doll made in the Fukuoka, Japan. Rikyu (Sen Rikyu) is a 16th century influential tea master who perfected the Cha-no-yu, way of tea. He served two historically powerful figures, Nobunaga (Oda) and Hideyoshi (Toyotomi), and eventually being forced to commit Seppuku by Hideyoshi. Sen Rikyu is a given name by the Emperor. 10 inches tall.

Marked “Hichozan” and “made by Maru(circle mark) hei”. Hichozan was a large organization located in Kyushu, the southern island of Japan. The organization did not make any porcelain itself but had large workshops decorating blanks from other factories. Most of the blanks were made at Mikawachi where the Hirado kilns were located. They also ordered underglaze decorated wares that they could supply to their clients. These bowls fall into that category and were made for Hichozan, by the H...

A Japanese tissue or cloth holder for a tea ceremony, finely woven with a diamond design, the interior lined in leather, all held together with an ivory clasp carved as a lion's head (shishi) mask, Taisho period.

Japanese Arita vase of ovoid shape decorated in underglaze blue with a continuous design of a small boat on a tranquil lake beside a large rocky outcrop, the base marked Arita kiln, with illegible artist's signature, Taisho period. Height 13"

A Japanese bronze vase with red splashed green patination with gold powders, the squat body with tall everted neck, signed on the base Shiho; signed tomobako. Taisho/early Showa period. Height: 7 1/2"

An elegant ceramic obidome (obi clasp) with silver mount (guaranteed) formed as a leaf, glazed in mottled tones of red and blue, with a hand woven silk cord dyed in the same colors; all contained in original box from Matsumasa, Kyoto. Taisho/early Showa period.

The actual colors are gentle; red in blue/purple tint with a soft blue color. What did not show in the photos are the exact matching colors of the ceramic leaf and silk cord. It is a work of art from the Kyoto area; ceramic possib...

Japanese Kyoto-yaki plate, artistically hand painted pine trees by Kohyo Yamazaki (1890 - 1979), wall hanging. Dimension: 10" in diameter, 1 5/8" deep.

A stylish cloisonné (shippo) beaker vase by Ando, 10” in height, circa 1950 – 1970. It has the original box with a pamphlet issued by the Ando Cloisonne Company, the leading cloisonné company in Japan. The note briefly introduces the company, how their cloisonné are made (with photos) and a photo of the very famous enameled mirror discovered in *Shoso-in.

*The Shoso-in was originally the storehouse of the Todaiji temple. It has 9000 rare articles well preserved from the 8th t...

A set of five Japanese Fukagawa porcelain bowls and covers, each decorated in gold, iron red and underglaze blue, with a delicate design of maple branches. Marked on the bottom with a Mt. Fuji (and river) logo of the Fukagawa Seiji Porcelain Company, circa 1920-1940.

Approx. Dimensions of Bowls 4" (10.1cm) in diameter and 2 3/8" (5.5cm) in height. Lids, 3.5" (9.5cm) in diameter. Total 3" (7.5cm) in height.

Japanese Fukagawa, Koransha baluster vase decorated in underglaze red with a leaping carp, on a shaded blue ground, Koransha orchid mark to the base, original wood box (13" x 9" x 9"). Dimensions of the vase are 12" in height and 7" in diameter (at the widest).

Beautiful Japanese ginbari cloisonne vase. At 9 1/2", this is an unusually large and desirable example among the same group. It probably dates from the Meiji period (1868-1912) when the art of Japanese cloisonné enamels reached its highest point. Technological improvements enabled artists to create wonderful examples, including one of the most desirable techniques called "ginbari" (silver foil foundation) shippo as you see it here.

In this vase, the impressed silver foil ground acc...

Hakata ningyo, unglazed Japanese ceramic doll, signed by the well known Hakata ningyo artist, Genzo Soda. The words "early spring" is written next to the artist's signature. This could be the name of the doll or the time of the year that this doll was made. Mr. Genzo Soda is designated as an intangible cultural property holder of Fukuoka prefecture and is the recipient of numerous awards such as the Japanese Prime Minister's award, International Trade and Industry Secretary’s award, Fu...

A Japanese Kutani plate with flat base and short rim, finely painted with a pair of sparrows on a red leafed maple branch, the reverse marked "Kutani". Late Meiji/Taisho period, early 1900s.

Dimensions: Approx. 12" (30.4cm) in diameter, 3/4" (2cm) deep.

Beautiful Kutani porcelain vase; hand painted with a scene of Chinese men in the rocky mountains in underglaze blue. The glaze has slightly blueish tint. Signed Kutani. The dimensions of the vase is 9 3/4 inches in height, 5 3/8 pounds in wood box (appears solid). The dimensions of box: 9" x 9" x 11 1/2". Circa, mid 1900s.

Beautiful Japanese Satsuma mint dishes with Japanese price tags on the back. They are signed and in new condition, circa 1950 to 1960.
SIZE: 4 3/4 inches x 3 1/8 inches x 3/4 inches deep

Each plate has the design of a single chrysanthemum (kiku) shifted towards the left side of the plate … but they were carved in a way that each has a life of its own. None of them look the same. The design is sharply cut into thick layers of black urushi lacquer – tsuikoku. It is known to be a difficult job – this later lead to Kamakura bori(carving) which is a technique of lacquering on carved wood. The plates are very light. It indicates a high quality, matured wood inside. The edges ...

This is a humorous Japanese sake cup. The drinker would find that he has drunk from the face of Okame while others would see the other side of the cup with oni's (ogre) face and would have a laugh. All typical Japanese humor from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). 2 3/4 inches in diameter and 1 inch tall (slightly less) at the horn and jaw.

A stylish cloisonné beaker vase decorated with a yellow rose on a blue ground by Ando, a leading Japanese cloisonné maker since the beginning of Meiji period. Impressed Ando and 'jyun-gin' (pure silver) marks on the bottom rim, dated from 1950 to 1960. Original square black stand and pamphlet issued by Ando with some brief notes about the company and a photo of the famous enameled mirror discovered in Shoso-in. 11" tall (vase alone) and 7 1/2" in diameter at the opening. Absolutely no dam...

Large Japanese Imari charger, 18 3/8” in diameter, with vibrant enameling and excellent facial expressions. The subject matter is 'The Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove'. One hairline at the bottom rim and crazing on the rim. Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Japanese Imari charger finely enameled with panels of two phoenixes on stylized floral scrolling grounds - all in green, red, blue and purple enamel with gilding. The reverse side is decorated in underglaze blue with karakusa scroll pattern and with fork shaped factory mark. The phoenix (Ho-o in Japanese) is a mythological bird known to appear in time of peace and prosperity. It symbolizes immortality, resurrection and life after death. Dimensions: 16" (40.5cm) in diameter, 2 3/4" (7.2cm)...

Large Lidded Imari Bowl and cover decorated in underglazed blue with a scrolling design of leafy camellia, Meiji period. Dimensions: 9 3/4" X 5 1/2".